Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
627. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a project (details supplied); if the research has been completed and published as planned for October 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53410/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2020, a budget of €60,000 was provided to support the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) in carrying out a research project into funeral poverty in Ireland. The purpose of the independent research by the IHF is to examine how bereavement affects people, particularly the economic impact of death. It seeks to trace the dynamics of bereavement in Ireland, identify immediate and longer-term impacts on families, identify the costs and deficits, and explore ways to mitigate the economic impact.
Funding from the Department is supporting the research, which was originally due to be completed by December 2020. However, I am told by the IHF that the COVID-19 emergency resulted in much of its work on this project being deferred.
I understand from the IHF that the first phase of the project was completed in 2020. Funding support of €31,394.38 for that phase was paid to the IHF in December 2020. The IHF informs me that Phase 1B was completed in August 2021. A further payment of €16,938.33 was then made to the IHF.
I also understand that work is now underway on Phase 2 which is a qualitative phase exploring in-depth the economic impacts that bereavement can have, from the perspectives of the bereaved and the professionals who support them. The IHF team for this is in place and data collection commenced in September 2021. The final phase 2 report is expected to be provided to the IHF by its research team in November 2021.
I further understand that the IHF's current plan is to finalize its work, combining the various phases of the project, in Spring 2022, when it intends to publish its findings.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
